Display container

ABSTRACT

A display container comprises an outer container having end walls and side walls. A support unit is within the outer container. The support unit has a first position in which it is against one of the side or end walls and a second position in which it extends from the side or end wall inwardly into the outer container. A spring is attached to the support unit and biases the support unit into the second position. A member is within the outer container and holds the support unit in the first position. The member is removable from the outer container allowing the support unit to move to the second position.

This is directed for a container for transporting articles and displaying them at the point of purchase.

Many types of goods need to be transported in containers, and need to be displayed once they are at the point of purchase. It is desirable that the articles be at a height that allows them to be viewed easily by potential purchasers. The stores often have to provide stands to bring the articles to an appropriate height. It is also desirable that placing the articles in place for display not be labor intensive. It is desirable that the articles be removed easily from their transporting containers and quickly be placed in a position for display. It is also desirable that the articles be loaded easily and quickly into the tranport containers

In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer container used to transport the articles becomes the stand for displaying the articles. The store does not require an inventory of stands and space to keep the stands.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the act of raising the articles to display height causes a stand to form and support the articles.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a supporting structure is held non-supporting position by a member and is biased into a supporting position when the member are raised. In one embodiment this member may be the article or an inner container for the article or articles. In another embodiment the member is a carrier structure which is used to lift the inner container or containers or articles from within the outer container.

FIGS. 1-4 are top plan views of different embodiments of blanks for the outer container.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of bottom face of one embodiment of the outer container.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the bottom face of another embodiment of the outer container.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment for one element of the support structure.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view an embodiment for another element of the support structure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the outer container with the support structure in transport position.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the outer container with the support structure in support position.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an embodiment for a blank for the carrier.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view showing the carrier being inserted into the outer container.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view showing the carrier in place in the outer container.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an embodiment for a blank for an inner container.

FIGS. 15-22 are isometric views of an embodiment of the display container showing it in transport mode and being opened for display.

FIGS. 23 is a blank for another embodiment of an inner container.

FIGS. 24-26 are isometric views of this embodiment of the display container showing it in transport mode and being opened for display.

The material of construction for the various elements of the display container may be double faced corrugated, a multilayer corrugated material such as double wall or triple wall corrugated, heavy duty paperboard, and other materials typically used for containers.

The outer container 20 may be any type of container. Four embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. These are a regular slotted container, a half slotted container, a self opening container with upper flaps or a self opening container without upper flaps.

In each of these embodiments the blank 21 is divided by score lines 22, 23, 24 and 25 into a side wall 26, end wall 27, side wall 28, end wall 29 and manufacturer's joint 30.

In the two embodiments with upper flaps the major flaps 31 and 33 are attached to the side walls 26 and 28 by score lines 35 and 37, and the minor flaps 32 and 34 are attached to the end walls 27 and 29 by score lines 36 and 38. The major flaps 31 and 33 and minor flaps 32 and 34 are separated by slots 39, 40 and 41.

In the regular slotted container and the half slotted container the bottom major flaps 42 and 44 are attached to the side walls 26 and 28 by score lines 46 and 48, and the bottom minor flaps 43 and 45 are attached to the end walls 27 and 29 by score lines 47 and 49. The bottom major flaps 42 and 44 and bottom minor flaps 43 and 45 are separated by slots 50, 51 and 52.

In the self opening containers the bottom major flaps 53 and 55 are attached to the side walls 26 and 28 by score lines 57 and 59, and the bottom minor flaps 54 and 56 are attached to end walls 27 and 29 by score lines 58 and 60. Fold back attachment panels 61 and 62 are attached to the bottom minor flaps 54 and 56 by score lines 63 and 64.

In forming the outer containers the manufacturer's joint 30 is attached to the side wall 26 by adhesive or staples.

In the regular slotted and half slotted outer containers, the bottom minor flaps 43 and 45 are folded inwardly around score lines 47 and 49 until they are perpendicular to end walls 27 and 29, and the bottom major flaps 42 and 44 are folded inwardly around score line 46 and 48 until they overlie bottom minor flaps 43 and 45. In some embodiments the bottom major and minor flaps are attached by adhesive or staples. In other embodiments the major flaps are taped shut.

In the self opening containers the fold back attachment panels 61 and 62 are attached to the bottom major flaps 53 and 55. When the container is collapsed to a flat condition, the bottom major and minor flaps 53, 54, 55 and 56 rotate inwardly around score lines 57, 58, 59 and 60 until they are between the side walls and end walls in the flattened container. The fold back attachment panels 61 and 62 fold back onto the bottom minor flaps 54 and 56. When the container is opened the fold back attachment panels toggle the major and minor flaps 53, 54, 55 and 56 outwardly to close the bottom of the container.

The support structure fits within the outer container 20. Each of the support structure units 65 has two elements. Minor partition 66 is a panel 67 having the height that is slightly less than the height of the outer container 20. Major partition 68 is a panel 69 which is the same height as the panel 67. Panels 67 and 69 are the same width as the width of the outer container interior along either an end or side wall. The panel 69 has an extension 70 attached to one side by a score line 71. The extension 70 is the same height as panel 69 and supports the center of the enclosed articles and inner containers.

The panels 67 and 69 have slots 72 and 73 which allow the panels to mate and form the support structure. The slots are vertical in the container. One of the slots will extend from the bottom of a panel and the other slot will extend from the top of the other panel. The slots 72 and 73 are shown as being central of the panels and extending to the midpoint of the panels.

The panels 67 and 69 also have slots 74, 75, 76 and 77 for holding spring elements such as a rubber bands. The rubber bands will extend from 74 on panel 67 to slot 77 on panel 69 on the front of the panels, and from slot 75 to slot 76 on the back of the panels. The slots are shown as semicircular but any shape will work as long as the rubber bands are held in place.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the support structure units 65 in place in the outer container 20. FIG. 9 shows the support structure units 65 in transport position. FIG. 10 shows the support structure units 65 in support position. The support structure units are biased to be in the support position. Rubber bands 78 are the biasing medium in the embodiment shown. A spring that pulls the panels 67 and 69 toward each other so that they push away from the end walls may also be used. [Are there other biasing methods?

In the transport position the interlocked minor panel 67 and major panel 69 are adjacent the end walls 27 and 29 with the extensions 70 resting on the side walls 26 and 28. They are held in this position by the inner containers and the carrier. When the inner containers and carrier are raised the interlocked minor panels 67 and major panels 69 are biased into the support position shown in FIG. 10. The rubber bands extend from the minor panel to the major panel on both the front and back of the panels. The panels are pulled inwardly to form an X shape. The extensions 70 slide forward along the side walls 26 and 28. When the extension touch the opposite minor panel of the other support structure unit, the movement of the structure units stops. The rear edges 79 and 80 of minor partition 66 and major partition 68 slide along the end walls 27 and 29 during this movement. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the minor partitions 66, major partitions 68 and extensions 70 are away from the side walls 26 and 28.

The support structure units 65 are in the support position when the display container is first assembled. The support structure units 65 are pushed into the transport position by the inner containers and the carrier.

The blank 81 of the carrier 82 is shown in FIG. 11. The blank 81 is divided by score lines 83, 84, 85 and 86 into a first closure panel 87, a first side panel 88, a bottom panel 89, a second side panel 90 and a second closure panel 91. Side flaps 92, 93, 94 and 95 are attached to the closure panels 87 and 91 by score lines 96, 97, 98 and 99. Hand holes 100 and 101 are formed in the first closure panel 87 and the second closure panel 91.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show how the support structure units are placed in transport position by the carrier 82. The carrier blank 81 is bent around either score line 84 or 85 and inserted into the container widthwise between the extensions 70. The carrier is then bent around the other score line 84 or 85 to place the bottom panel 89 on the bottom of the outer container. This pushes the support structure units 65 back against the end walls 27 and 29.

The inner containers are then placed in the carrier 82. A blank 102 for an embodiment of the inner container 103 is shown in FIG. 14. The blank 102 is divided by score lines 104, 105 and 106 into a display panel 107, a back panel 108, a bottom panel 109 and a front panel 110. The front panel 110 has a cut-out section 111 that allows the articles within the inner container 103 to be seen and to be taken from the container.

The back panel 108 has side flaps 112 and 113 attached by score lines 114 and 115.

The bottom panel 109 has outer side panels 116 and 117 attached to it by score lines 118 and 119. Upper side panels 120 and 121 are attached to outer side panels 116 and 117 by score lines 122 and 123. Inner side panels 124 and 125 are attached to upper side panels 120 and 121 by score lines 126 and 127. Locking tabs 128, 129, 130 and 131 are on the bottom edges of inner side panels 124 and 125. These mate with the locking apertures 132, 133, 134 and 135 in the bottom panel 109. Stacking tabs 136 and 137 are on the upper edges of inner side panels 124 and 125. These also mate with the locking apertures 132 and 135 in the bottom panel 109.

The front panel 110 has side flaps 138 and 139 attached to it by score lines 140 and 141.

In forming the inner container 103 the back panel 108 and front panel 110 are bent upwardly around score lines 105 and 106 until they are upright with and perpendicular to the bottom panel 109. The side flaps 112 and 113 of back panel 108 and the side flaps 138 and 139 of front panel 110 are bent inward around score lines 114, 115, 140 and 141 until they are over score lines 118 and 119. The outer side panels 116 and 117 are bent upwardly around score lines 118 and 119 until they contact the side flaps 112, 113, 138 and 139. The upper side panels 120 and 121 are bent around score lines 123 and 124 until theyu are over the side flaps 112, 113, 138 and 139. The inner side panels 124 and 125 are bent around score lines 126 and 127 until the contact the inner faces of side flaps 112, 113, 138 and 139. The locking tabs 128, 129, 130 and 131 are inserted through the locking apertures 132, 133, 134 and 135 to lock the inner container 103 together.

One embodiment of an inner container has been shown. Any type of container can be used as long as the articles within the container are displayed and the articles may be taken easily from the container.

The height of the inner container is variable. It should be some portion of the height of the outer container. An inner container that is one-third the height of the outer container is shown. The largest inner container would be the same height as the inner height of the outer container less the thickness of the display panel.

After the inner containers 103 containing the articles have been placed on the carrier 82 within the outer container 20, the display panel 107 is bent downwardly around score line 104 until it rests on the upper side panels 120 and 121. The side flaps 92, 93, 94 and 95 of the carrier closure panels 87 and 91 are bent inwardly around score lines 96, 97, 98 and 99 and the closure panels 87 and 91 bent downwardly around score lines 83 and 86 to overlie the display panel 107. The side flaps 92, 93, 94 and 95 are between the outer container 20 and the inner container 103. The carrier closure panels 87 and 91 are held in place by tape. The display container is shown in FIG. 15. If the outer container has upper flaps then the upper flaps would be fastened over the closure panels.

At the place of use the upper flaps 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the outer container 20 are cut off if the outer container has upper flaps. The tape holding the closure panels 87 and 91 is cut and the closure panels rotated upwardly as shown in FIG. 16. The carrier 82 is raised by the hand holes 100 and 101 bringing the inner containers 103 up out of the outer container 20. When the inner containers 103 and carrier 82 clear the support structure units 65, the rubber bands 78 pull the panels 67 and 69 toward each other placing the support structure units 65 into support position. The inner containers 103 and the carrier 82 now rest on the support structure units 65. The carrier side panels 88 and 90 are cut from the carrier bottom panel along score lines 84 and 85. The display panel 107 is bent upwardly around score line 104 and the display container is ready with the articles in the inner containers 103 on display and ready for purchase.

If the inner container 103 is the same height as the outer container then it is possible to eliminate the carrier 82. The blank for this inner container is shown in FIG. 23. With one exception, the blank has the same parts as the blank shown in FIG. 14 and the reference numerals are the same. The difference is the extension 142 attached to the display panel 107 by score line 143 and the hand hole 144 in the extension 142.

The inner container 103 is placed within the outer container 20. The support structure units 65 are pushed back against the end walls 27 and 29 while the inner container 103 is inserted into the outer container 20. The inner contain holds the support structure units 65 against the end walls 27 and 29.

When the display container is ready for use, the hand hole 144 is grasped and the inner container 103 is pulled upward out of the outer container 20. When the inner container 103 is above the support structure units 65, the rubber bands 78 on the support structure units 65 pull the support stucture units 65 in display position.

While the various embodiments of the display container have been described with two support units it should be understood that a display container that is substantially square in cross section may require only one support unit.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated it will be understood than modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A display container comprising: an outer container having end walls and side walls, a support unit within said outer container, said support unit having a first position against one of said side or end walls and a second position in which it extends from said side or end wall inwardly into said outer container, a spring attached to said support unit and biasing said support unit into said second position, a member within said outer container holding said support unit in said first position, said member being removable from said outer container whereby said support unit will move to said second position.
 2. The display container of claim 1 further comprising a pair of support units, each of said support units being against an opposed pair of side or end wall, and said member being between said support units.
 3. The display container of claim 2 wherein each of said support units comprises a pair of interlocked panels rotatable toward and away each other, and said spring extends from one of said panels to the other of said panels.
 4. The display container of claim 3 in which said extension panel is adjacent the other of said side or end walls.
 5. The display container of claim 4 in which said extension panel is adjacent the other of said side or end walls.
 6. The display container of claim 3 in which said panels form an X in cross section when said support units are in said second position.
 7. The display container of claim 3 in which said spring is a rubber band.
 8. The display container of claim 2 in which said member comprises a carrier having side walls rotatably attached to a bottom wall, said bottom wall having a length substantially the length between the other of said side or end walls.
 9. The display container of claim 8 further comprising closure panels attached to said side walls.
 10. The display container of claim 8 further comprising inner containers within said carrier.
 11. A display container of claim 2 in which said member comprises an inner container within said outer container.
 12. The display container of claim 1 wherein each of said support units comprises a pair of interlocked panels rotatable toward and away each other, and said spring extends from one of said panels to the other of said panels.
 13. The display container of claim 12 in which one of said panels has an extension panel attached to it.
 14. The display container of claim 13 in which said extension panel is adjacent the other of said side or end walls.
 15. The display container of claim 3 in which said panels form an X in cross section when said support units are in said second position.
 16. The display container of claim 12 in which said spring is a rubber band.
 17. The display container of claim 1 in which said member comprises a carrier having side walls rotatably attached to a bottom wall, said bottom wall having a length substantially the length between the other of said side or end walls.
 18. The display container of claim 17 further comprising closure panels attached to said side walls.
 19. The display container of claim 17 further comprising inner containers within said carrier.
 20. A display container of claim 1 in which said member comprises an inner container within said outer container. 